So– you’ve been looking at GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the beautiful reviews. Read about the all-in-one magic. Review just how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing devices, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (kind of) Is There a Free Version of GoHighLevel.
I get it. The pledge is appealing: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a firm, the concept of improving whatever under one roofing sounds like a productivity desire. But let me quit you right there … due to the fact that I fell for the hype. And I desire someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and claimed: “Do not do it.”
In this write-up, I’m strolling you through my rollercoaster of a ride with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a complete 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the button, read this first. It’ll save you time, money, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever before get that itch for something brand-new? Like when your favorite set of footwear suddenly feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been using Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And honestly, it worked great.
I imply, Keap dealt with whatever: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the way I ran my company. Certain, it had not been best, yet it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, but it obtains you where you require to do without breaking down.
So why did I start considering the showy brand-new Tesla parked next door?
As a result of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s genuine. And if you’re an entrepreneur like me, you recognize specifically what I’m speaking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS blog writers are humming regarding a “game-changer,” you begin wondering if you’re missing out. And before I knew it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Perhaps it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Cost of Switching: What It Truly Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– migrating your company’s whole technology pile is ruthless. I wish I can tell you I simply clicked a button and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend. Nope.
Right here’s a peek of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (by hand).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from square one– things like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, project condition, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected repayment integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting setups and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it sucked out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your display for also lengthy? That was my life for two weeks right.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like points were functioning. Automations were firing. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One morning I got up to a nightmare: 171 emails had been sent to the wrong group of contacts. Completely unnecessary web content. 3 days in a row. And not the exact same people either– various sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, erased and reconstructed series, even connected to sustain. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the emails simply kept heading out like a rogue robotic on auto-pilot.
Then, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered too much to risk one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Death by Irritation
Let me repaint you an image. You’re trying to modify a workflow. Straightforward task, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Setups are concealed in position nobody would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not also get me began. You have to gain access to three different setup panels– spread throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It seemed like putting together IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to enjoy the adaptability, however everything regarding the individual experience made me seem like I required a programmer resting next to me 24/7.
And this is coming from someone who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can’t picture what it resembles for a person simply getting started.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Here’s something they do not advertise clearly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out through their platform.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are sneaky little charges that begin piling up. I saw random $10 costs appearing– then $20 … after that $50. Turns out, I was racking up delivery costs with Mailgun, their email carrier.
So what appeared like a cost effective, flat-rate system? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less reliability in return.
That really felt dishonest. And it’s a dealbreaker for me Is There a Free Version of GoHighLevel.
Email Efficiency Tanked– And That Was the Last lick
If you do any type of kind of e-mail marketing, you recognize just how essential deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, developing trust fund, adjust subject lines. So when your open rates hand over a cliff, it resembles watching your hard work get flushed down the drain.
That’s exactly what occurred when I changed to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scraping 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domain names, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still absolutely nothing.
Email after e-mail landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel counts on third-party deliverability tools (without much support), I was left playing e-mail roulette.
At that point, I could not validate staying. I pulled the plug and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Honestly? I wouldn’t advise it. Not if you’re looking for something secure, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s excessive at risk– your online reputation, your consumer experience, your bottom line.
Yet if you’re still interested, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination every little thing. Do not thoughtlessly rely on the hype.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Mistakes).
Right here’s the truth no one informs you when you’re chasing the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great factor to switch over.
Keap had not been fancy, however it was solid. That’s worth more than any kind of brand-new feature.
2. Simpleness defeats intricacy– every time.
An instinctive device that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein system that does 100% terribly.
3. Don’t fall for small cost– consider the actual expense.
Review the fine print. Inquire about deliverability costs. Know what “endless” really means.
4. Watch out for biased testimonials.
A lot of the beautiful testimonies out there? They’re from associates trying to score a payment. Discover people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Listen to your digestive tract.
If something feels off during your free trial or onboarding phase– don’t ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Think About
If you’re trying to find a system that really works the way it guarantees, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and excellent assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with excellent task management tools for small teams.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade devices with a refined UX. Suitable if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet wonderful for customer cooperation and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Built for consultants and creatives. Super tidy, very streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel sounds like the answer to every little thing. And if it functioned flawlessly, I ‘d most likely be their greatest cheerleader. Yet it didn’t. And I can not pretend or else.
So prior to you study a full-blown migration– or worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– take a breath. Ask the hard concerns. And take into consideration whether the “all-in-one” dream is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually worked also hard to construct something excellent. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you desire my two cents? Stick with tools that just function.